Bistro Guillaume, Crown Perth, Burswood, Western Australia

We welcome our new high tea inspector!

Our high tea at Bistro Guillaume was a most generous Christmas gift from our newest inspector, "Ira" who at one year old proved to have the winning combination of the perfect hostess and an excellent venue choice.

On arriving last Saturday we were shown to our table in a lovely quiet area and offered the tea menu (quite extensive and impressive) and asked if there were any dietary requirements.  All which were executed perfectly.  We had requested mainly savoury and no seafood for one.   The room is very glamourous with a delightful French flair - even our high chair matched the decor.   

Four different tea choices arrived being the dragon pearls, stockholm blend, casablanca and silver tips along with the oblong three tiered stands with all the yummy treats.  The variety was excellent and included: chicken waldorf champagne baguette, spanner crab sandwich, smoked salmon with dill creme, veal sausage roll, pistachio macaroon, lemon tartlet, vanilla creme mille-feuille, scone with raspberry coulis and creme chantilly.

Highlights for our group were - caramel macaroon, mini quiche and rare roast beef with horseradish.

The staff were friendly and keen to see that everyone had a wonderful high tea.  On behalf of our new member and the rest of the inspectors we say well done.  High Tea at Bistro Guillaume is highly recommended.

The Empress Fairmont Hotel, 721 Government Street, Victoria, British Columbia

Afternoon tea overlooking the beautiful harbour!

An institution in Victoria BC, "The Empress" one of the many impressive Fairmont hotels is well known for their high tea.

At the higher price end of the high tea scale the menu is sumptuous and a first for me the fresh strawberries and cream as a starter.

Then the traditional three tiered stand with sandwiches, scones, jam, cream and excellent cake selection.  There is a small selection of teas, unfortunately, this did not include a green tea and found when paying the bill an extra $30 had been added for the privilege for the two of us. ugh.

The service was attentive and expedient despite being very well patronised. The waiter looked smart and extremely knowledgeable when questioned on various aspects of the hotel.  I would still like to see a white linen table cloth to finish off the lovely setting.

If the Empress is on your bucket list, I'm sure you will enjoy the experience.

M/S Amsterdam, La Fontaine Dining Room, Holland America Line, Alaskan Cruise, North America

Wonderful scenery included with afternoon tea!

For a high tea lover, the afternoon teas offered on the Amsterdam Alaskan cruise were one of the highlights of the cruising day (along with happy hour)!

A couple of stand outs were the Indonesian Crew High Tea and the Royal Dutch High Tea.



The lovely Indonesian crew happily serve teas and coffees sourced from Indonesia along with delicious and colourful treats.  My choice was the Indonesian Jasmine fine green tea.  The traditional scones, jam and cream were also offered and I found all most tasty.

The Royal Dutch High Tea presented as a smorgasbord was quite the indulgence. Many guests partook in this lavish afternoon tea. There were literally trays upon trays of beautifully presented afternoon tea delights.

If you ever get the opportunity to cruise with Holland America, I truly hope you love the afternoon teas offered.  The crew are very professional in all they do.  Excellent job...

Biku, Jalan Raya Petitenget No. 888, Kerobokan, Bali

"Mystical High Tea in Bali"

As many travellers love Bali, three of our High Tea Bali loving inspectors decided to try Biku high tea with a tarot reading.

They had a wonderful time in the traditional Balinese setting with English touches. Also impressive, the Royal Albert tea set and a well stocked quaint gift shop.  The variety of cakes and teas offered were all served by the attentive, friendly staff including the biggest ever pavlova reported.

The tarot reading enjoyed by two of the inspectors were "quite near the truth". A must book ahead for tarot readings is required if your planning this extra with your high tea.

Next time you visit Bali our inspectors recommend a visit to Biku for Mystical High Tea.  Enjoy!

Raffles, Tiffin Room, 1 Beach Road, Singapore

"The icon in Singapore"

High Tea at the Raffles, what a wonderful christmas gift from one High Tea Inspector to another.  This experience was on the "high tea bucket list".

Three of us arrived just before the 3pm reservation along with many other tea lovers.  We were shown to our table and offered tea or coffee (no menu for teas). The waiter looked a little perplexed when I asked for green tea.  A three tiered stand arrived with one plate of assorted finger sandwiches and two plates with cakes and tartlets, and awhile later, the pots of tea.

The waiter informed us there was a buffet in the next room.  Our table was along way from the buffet, right next to the coffee station, so not an ideal location and disappointing considering the booking was made before christmas.  I find buffet for afternoon tea interrupts the flow of conversation and prefer to have table service.  The buffet offerings looked impressive and I'm sure very well patronised.  I would suggest if planning a visit to request a table closer to the buffet and don't plan on eating dinner, if this is your pleasure.

The expectation of High Tea at the Raffles was a little soured when after stepping out of the taxi at the main entrance, to be directed around the side to the Tiffin room as only guests can enter through the main doors (even though the Tiffin room is directly left through the main door)- I found this a little precious.

The Tiffin room has a lovely ambiance, even with full capacity it seem reasonably quiet and the Harpist was "the cherry" touch.

We can now check off the Raffles high tea from our "bucket list" and wonder how high tea at the Raffles has changed over the past 115 years.

Perch"s Tea Room, Kronprinsensgade 5, Copenhagen, Denmark

Est. 1835 by Jens Bay Perch and supported by friend Niels Brock.

Today you will enjoy lovely teas, scones, sandwiches and cakes served on Royal Danish crockery all in lovely surroundings.  I particularly liked a painting of the premises in earlier times.

The tea variety is extensive with tea from Africa, India,Indonesia, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Tanzania and Vietnam.  So if you cannot find the one then your in the wrong place.  One of the friendly staff told me that coffee is never served at Perch's as they do not want the coffee aroma to permeate the building.

The menu caters to all: Ferdinands Delight - Scones with jam, lemon curd and clotted cream and tea.
High Tea - Cake with tea. Perch's Sandwich Menu - A variety of different finger sandwiches served with tea (our choice). Perch's Lunch Menu - Seafood salad served with rye bread and green tea. Lastly, Perch's Cheese Menu - A variety of different cheeses served with rye bread and tea.

Enjoying a good cuppa is a great way to relax and soak up the atmosphere of any new place your visiting.  So if Copenhagen is on your agenda, please visit Perch's Tea Room and have a wonderful time just like we did.

Magiric Emporium Cafe Gallery, Oaks Drive, Vasse Newtown Estate

A little history with a very fine high tea.

I know it has been sometime for our reviews on our favourite pastime (you know what that is) but one's life has been a little busy and a few we have tried just didn't make the grade.  However, this one certainly did make the cut.  Magiric Emporium high tea is a most lovely experience from the time you enter the lovely old stone cottage until the time you leave.

The savoury high tea attracted my attention and a great option for those watching their sugar intake.  Our party ordered two savoury and one traditional along with tea and coffee. Service is very prompt and attentive, refreshing the tea pot or replacing plates not a problem.

The savoury scones, topped with sour cream and homemade tomato relish, are the best I have ever tasted. Yum.  Both savoury and sweet selections are equally impressive as the choice of teas on offer.

Magiric Emporium has such a lovely variety of foods, catering for elegant luncheons, private functions and the hardy high tea lovers. I would recommend if you're Busselton way, do yourself a favour and enjoy this excellent experience. Very well done.